Concealed corner locking clip

ABSTRACT

A concealed corner lock clip system for installing and securing sheet material such as laminated plastic wallboards, plywood and the like for finishing off bathtub and/or shower walls and the like; the locking system includes a vertically extending resilient clip attached to one wallboard and into which the other, adjacent wallboard can be easily and quickly inserted and locked into place; the clip is unobstrusive and compact and is completely invisible after installation.

United States Patent, [191 Mattix 1 1 CONCEALED CORNER LOCKING CLIP [76] Inventor: Jacob M. Mattix, 341 N. Hennessy,

New Orleans, La. 70119 [22] Filed: Sept. 1, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 285,620

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 61,194, Aug. 5.1970, .Pat. No.

[52] U.S. C1 52/760, 52/758 H, 52/753 D, 52/285 [51] Int. Cl. 'Fl6b 5/06 [58] Field of Search287/189.35, 189.36 R, 20.92 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 756,338 4/1904 Doten 287/2092 D X 2.774.121

12/1956 Graevenitz et a1 287/20.925 X [451 May 21-, 1974 2,779,280 l/l957 Strange 287/l89.35 X 3,082,897 3/1963 Highley 287/2092 C X 3,308,590 3/19'67 Ettore et al.... 52/285 X 3,688,459 9/1972 Mattix 287/2092 D X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 633,751 l2/l949 Great Britain 287/l89.35

Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-Wayne L. Shedd Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pugh & Laiche 5 7] ABSTRACT A concealed comer lock clip system for installing and securing sheet material such as laminated plastic wallboards, plywood and the like for finishing off bathtub and/or shower walls and the like; the locking system includes a vertically extending resilient cli'p attached to one wallboard and into which the other, adjacent wallboard can be easily and quickly inserted and locked into place; the clip is unobstrusive and compact and is completely invisible after installation.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CONCEALED CORNER LOCKING CLIP This is a division of application Ser. No. 61,194, filed Aug. 5, 1970 entitled CONCEALED CORNER LOCK CLIP SYSTEM issued as US. Pat. No. 3,688,459 on Sept. 5, I972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l-Ieretofore, it has often been the practice to finish off the walls surrounding or abutting tub and shower fixtures by means of ceramic tiles. However, such finishing jobs with its requisite grouting are very timeconsuming. Moreover, the finished ceramic tile walls are difficultto clean because of the presence of the mortar joints.

Although others of course have taught the use of plastic laminated wallboards and the like for finishing of shower and bathtub installations in place of the ceramic tiles and have taught various means of installing the wallboards and fixing them in place, all such prior art systems have various distinct disadvantages such as clumsiness, bulk, unattractiveness, visibility, expense McBride, 3,227,617; Hobbs, 2,677,268; Sperry, 2,219,714; Gregoire, 3,376,679; and Schmitt, 1,672,914.

In contradistinction, the present invention provides a system of attaching and locking together angularly intersecting wallboards, especially those intersecting at ninety degrees, particularly. in such applications as wallboards for bathtub and shower installations, which is simply, easily and quickly utilized. The resulting installation is easily reversible, i.e., can be readily undone, does not harm the wallboard, does not'require any critical alignment and takes no real skill to assemble. The joint provided by the installation is virtually leakproof and attractive, the clip being used in the system adding no real over-all bulk to the installation and indeed being completely invisible after installation.

Other advantages, achievements and objects of the present invention will become apparent in considering the preferred embodiment described below.-

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a bathtub installation wherein the wallboards have been installed and locked into place by means of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the mating of the wallboards during installation as one wallboard panel is inserted for installation next to the other.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 and .is a cross-sectional view along section lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the clip of the system of the present invention locking one wallboard to the other, after the two have been installed.

FIG. 4, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the clip of the present invention. v

FIG. 5 is a top, plan view of the total installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS,

As shown in FIGS. 1 and .5, the system of the present invention has particular application to the providing of course, the present invention can be applied to many different kinds os substantial sheet or panel materials.

One of each pair of panels, for example panel 3, to be joined together has along one side edge a resilient clip or corner lock strip 7 attached at one'end to the back side 8 of the panel by means of screws, or nails 9 or some other fastening means.

The clip first extends out by means of a first portion 21 in a direction generally parallel to the front surface 6 of the wallboard for a certain distance dependent upon the thickness of the edge of the panel which is to be placed in the clip. As noted in FIG. 2, the clip forms an angular cul-de-sac 10 with the extremity of the clip 7 forming a second portion directed inwardly back toward and past the front 6 of the panel towhich it is attached. As seen in the illustration (FIG. 2), the second portion extends back inwardly a substantial distance back toward and angularly toward the front surface of the panel, thereby with the, panel forming the cul-de-sac l0.

The clip 7 can extend down along the entire side edge of the panel, as a single, integral clip as indicated by the phantom lines 7" in FIG. 1, or there can be provided a series of similar clips down along the edge. The clip is resilient or springy and can be made of, for example,

' 24 or 26 gauge galvanized sheet metal, which has been found to be satisfactory. Other materials, for example, stainless steel or plastic, could be used, as long as the requisite amount of strength, durability and resiliency is maintained. I j

Rather than the straight line cross-sectional configuration of the clip 7 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, other configurations are possible. A second clip 7, having a rolled or rounded configurationis shown in FIG. 4. (The analogous elements of .clip 7"to clip 7 are indicated by the same numbers except primed.)

The side edge surface 12 of the panel to which the clip 7 is attached has a slight relief bevel, a five degree bevel usually being adequate. Also included in and extending down along the side edge surface 12 is a sealant groove 13. v

A rabbet or rectangular cut-out 14 is provided in the adjacent panel (for example panel 2) alongthe side edge surface which is to be juxtaposed to the first panel. The rabbet 14, as will be seen, serves as a mating or receiving area for the extremity arm 11 of the clip 7. The presence of the rabbet or cut-out allows for a more positive mating and locking action with the clip 7 and also results in a finished structure having no increased bulk in spite of the presence of the clip structure 7 by allowing the back side of the panel to lie flat or flush against the support structure (note FIG. 3).

The clips 7 with the bevel surfaces 12 and the grooves 13 as well as the rabbet 14 are provided on the panels during manufacture or in the shop wherethey can be done on a production basis. There is thus no make-up work necessary on site, leaving only a simple installation job.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the system includes the following easy and straightforward steps for installation of the tub or shower enclosure in the field.

The initial panel (for example panel 3) with the clip thereon is first attached by sealant or other fixing means such as screws 18' to the basic support structure of the building. As is standard, studs towhich gypsum board (e.g. that sold under the trademark Sheetrock) 16 or other such material is attached is provided for the basic support structure (note FIG. 5 As shown in FIG. 2, the cul-de-sac portion H) of the clip is thus exposed. Sealant material 22 is then placed along the beveled surface 12 and in the groove 13.

The leading edge 17 of the other panel (for example the right hand portion of panel 2) of the combination is then angularly inserted, i.e., at an acute angle to the surface 6 of the initial panel, into the cul-de-sac, is designed to have substantially the same dimension, i.e., be

of the same order of magnitude, as the thickness of the panel to be inserted to allow for easy insertion but still having sufficient interaction between the two. The panel is then swung (note curved directional arrow) against the resilient force of the inwardly extending arm' 11 of the clip 7 until it is flat against the sheetrock l6, as shown in FIG. 3. The'panel by the resilient force of the clip is thus locked into place-at its intersecting edge. A rounded dimple 19 is provided at the leading edge of the extension arm 1 l of theclip 7 so as to provide a smooth rounded mating surface with the'panel as it is rotated against the cli'poThe panel after being completely rotated is then fastened to its basic support structure atits opposite edge by some suitablemeans.

When the sealant material 22 at the intersection of the two panels is applied, a tight, water-proof joint results. The slight bevel in the surface 12 and the groove 13 help to provide a good cavity for holding the sealant material and producing a strong bond.

One panel is thus joined and locked to the other by a simple and quick one-two method ofinsertion and rotation. Moreover, the flexibility and resiliency of the clip'also allows greater tolerance in the placing of the panels and tends to equalize any tensions which may arise in the enclosure installation.

ln the particular installation shown in FIGS. 1 & 4, the panel 3 is the first to be attached to the basic sup port structureQThis is because the cut-outs must be aligned with the faucets and controls of the already installed water pipe system. Panel 2 is then angularly inserted into the clip 7 of panel 3 and rotated against the back wall and at least temporarily fastened. Finally panel 1 is then angularly inserted into the clip 7 of panel 2, rotated and fastened by'means of screws 18, providing the full basic enclosure. Just a temporary-fastening of panel 2 at its left side, as for example by blocking or physically holding by a helper orapprentice. is sufficient because once panel 1 is inserted and permanently affixed to the support structure, panel 2 is locked into place by the actions of panels 1 and 3.

If the alignment of either-side panel were not the most basic desirata. the back or middle panel could then be provided with clips at both of its edges and each side panel provided with'the rabbet or cut-out. The middle panel would then be the first to be installed and the side panels thereafter The present method thus results in a simple and trouble-free method of installing several pieces of wallboard to form the wall around, for example, a bathtub or shower base. it also provides a system which can be reversed or undone, if desired, by merely unscrewing the screws 18 and I8 and taking off the wallboards, no real destruction or damage being caused to the wallboards, in the process.

To finish off the installation, sealant material is provided along all the exposed edges of the paneling. Fi-

nally standard wainscoating or cover strips can be added or the panels left unfinished and painted. The panels are then cleaned for the totally finished job.

The builder is thus provided with a system which is easier and simpler to install and very economical besides. The resulting installation provides the home owner with a water-proof wall covering, which is very easy to clean, more sanitary, very attractive and virtually carefree. I

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications maybe made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the description requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not'in a limited sense.

What is claimed as invention is:

I. A resilient clip (7, 7') for use in a wall installation system for installing at least two adjacent panels (5) of sheet material which angularly intersect on a basic support structure (l5, 16) when installed thereon comprising:

attachment means (9) for attaching the clip to at least the back side (8) of afirst one of the panels, said attachment means including an extended attachment leg (23, 23') which will mate with the back side of said first panel;

a first extension portion (21, 21') integrally attached to said attachment means and extending out away from said attachment means in a direction generally parallel to said attachment leg for a distance greater than the thickness of the edge of the second of saidpanels which is to be placed adjacent to said first panel;

second extension portion (11, ll) integrally at- I tached to said first extension portion at the extremity of said first extension portion removed from said attachment means, said second extension portion extending at an acute angle away from said first extension portion on the same side as the mating surface of said attachment leg for a distance substantially greater than the thickness of said first panel and resiliently extending back towards said attachment means a substantial distance but not substantially greater than the distance said first extension means extends out away from said attachment means and terminating in a free end; contact bearing means located toward said free end and extending out from the inner surface (25, 25) of said second extension portion at only restricted areas of transmitting the resilient force of said second extension portion at only said restricted areas when said second extension portion bears against the back of said second panel; whereby, when the clip is installed on said first panel, said second ex tension portion will extend out past the face of said first panel and with the side edge of said first panel attachment means and said first and second extension portions are all formed by appropriate bends in said sheet material.

3. The clip (7) of claim 1 wherein said first and second extension portions form a smoothly flowing continuously curved surface. i

- 4. The clip (7) of claim 1 wherein said first and second extension portions form angularly disposed, flat surfaces.

5. The clip of claim wherein said attachment means includes a second attachment leg (24, 24), extending generally perpendicular to the first attachment leg, which will mate with the side edge (12) of said first panel.

6. The clip of claim 5 wherein said first and second attachment legs are the only contact the clip has with said first panel and said second extension portion is the only contact the clip has with said other panel, whereby i i the clip is completely out-of-sight after said other panel is fully installed with said first panel.

7. Therclip of claim 1 wherein said contact bearing means comprises a rounded dimple (-l9, 19) formed in said second portion.

8. The clip of claim 7 wherein said rounded dimple is formed in said second portion atfits outermost extremity. 

1. A resilient clip (7, 7'') for use in a wall installation system for installing at least two adjacent panels (5) of sheet material which angularly intersect on a basic support structure (15, 16) when installed thereon comprising: attachment means (9) for attaching the clip to at least the back side (8) of a first one of the panels, said attachment means including an extended attachment leg (23, 23'') which will mate with the back side of said first panel; a first extension portion (21, 21'') integrally attached to said attachment means and extending out away from said attachment means in a direction generally parallel to said attachment leg for a distance greater than the thickness of the edge of the second of said panels which is to be placed adjacent to said first panel; a second extension portion (11, 11'') integrally attached to said first extension portion at the extremity of said first extension portion removed from said attachment means, said second extension portion extending at an acute angle away from said first extension portion on the same side as the mating surface of said attachment leg for a distance substantially greater than the thickness of said first panel and resiliently extending back towards said attachment means a substantial distance but not substantially greater than the distance said first extension means extends out away from said attachment means and terminating in a free end; contact bearing means located toward said free end and extending out from the inner surface (25, 25'') of said second extension portion at only restricted areas of transmitting the resilient force of said second extension portion at only said restricted areas when said second extension portion bears against the back of said second panel; whereby, when the clip is installed on said first panel, said second extension portion will extend out past the face of said first panel and with the side edge of said first panel to form a cul-de-sac (10, 10''), and whereby the other panel can be easily inserted at an angle into said cul-de-sac and its back side rotated against the resilient force of said second extension portion to the desired angle of installation, thereby being locked into place at its inserted edge by the clip holding the inserted edge against the side edge (12) of said first panel.
 2. The clip of claim 1 wherein said clip is made from a single continuous sheet of resilient material and said attachment means and said first and second extension portions are all formed by appropriate bends in said sheet material.
 3. The clip (7'') of claim 1 wherein said first and second extension portions form a smoothly flowing continuously curved surface.
 4. The clip (7) of claim 1 wherein said first and second extension portions form angularly disposed, flat surfaces.
 5. The clip of claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes a second attachment leg (24, 24''), extending generally perpendicular to the first attachment leg, which will mate with the side edge (12) of said first panel.
 6. The clip of claim 5 wherein said first and second attachment legs are the only contact the clip has with said first paNel and said second extension portion is the only contact the clip has with said other panel, whereby the clip is completely out-of-sight after said other panel is fully installed with said first panel.
 7. The clip of claim 1 wherein said contact bearing means comprises a rounded dimple (19, 19'') formed in said second portion.
 8. The clip of claim 7 wherein said rounded dimple is formed in said second portion at its outermost extremity. 